Earth and Space Science
This science course focuses on two key area space sciences and geology as it relates to earth formation. This course is designed to start students thinking about the future and their roles in it. The issues of how technology impacts family relationships, nuclear war, death, overpopulation, and society as a whole are explored. This course is centered around key concepts presented in Mars Rising, an HD Science series from the science channel. Students will create their own 3D Mars colony based on key concepts presented.
This course exposes students to many possibilities for life in the future and encourages students to invent new solutions for existing problems related to our future, such as: using anti-gravity devices for travel on earth, time travel, new sources of energy and how to improve our environment. Most importantly, students become more aware of the present and how what we are doing right now will affect all our futures.
Students participate in creating an immersive 3D Mars colony world based on the research topics covered in the course. Students also design new anti-gravity devices and demonstrate them in Wiloworlds, our 3D educational environment.
Other topics covered include: Earth’s composition, structure, processes, and history; its atmosphere, freshwater, and oceans; and its environment in space. This ties into the progression plan for WiloStar science for Marine and Life sciences.This course is also an exploration of the major cycles that affect every aspect of life, including weather, climate, air movement, tectonics, volcanic eruptions, rocks, minerals, geologic history, Earth’s environment, sustainability, and energy resources. Hands on labs encourage students to apply the scientific method.
This course is designed to help students:
- Recognize and understand the nature of science and the importance of the earth and space sciences to their lives.
- Develop problem-solving techniques and critical thinking skills to apply the principles of earth and space sciences in order to make decisions about scientific and technological issues
- Acquire an awareness of the potential as well as the limitations of science and technology.
The approach of the course is inquiry-based, project-oriented, and student-centered, requiring students to make observations, ask questions, formulate hypotheses, design and conduct 3D experiments, and apply their knowledge to practical, real life situations.
Communication skills and use of technology are also emphasized. Therefore, a significant number of writing assignments, research projects, and 3D virtual world projects will be required.
Geology, astronomy, and meteorology are the primary earth and space sciences and these disciplines will be included in the content of the course.
Environmental Science
Credits: 1
In this course we will study Earth’s ecosystems, and natural resources, how humans interact with other species and use natural resources, and some of the challenges we humans face in sustaining life on Earth for future generations. Students need access to a portable digital camera or regular camera and scanner to prepare and share results of field experiences. In addition to the field experiences, students create a 3D biosphere!
Topics covered in this course include:
- Habitats
- Bioremediation techniques (e.g., using oil-eating microbes to remove hazardous oil spills from the environment).Students then design an experiment to observe the effect of oil-degrading microbes.
- Determine the best plan of action for an environmental cleanup case study
- Ecosystems
- Population Ecology
- Ecological principles
- Environmental Impacts
- Pollution
- Energy Resources
- Water Contaminates
- Scientists in the real world
- Food Chains
- Food Resources
- Energy
- Waste Disposal
Zoology
Credits 1
General Course Description
This course focuses on zoology (the study of animals), ecology (the study of interactions between organisms and their environment.) In addition to studying the structure and physiology of animals in all the major animal phyla, this course will examine how life forms and organisms interact in various ecological systems. Laboratory activities will center around critical thinking activities and virtual dissections.
Some of the topics discussed include the classification of animals, invertebrates, including sponges, flatworms, mollusks, insects, arthropods, and echinoderms, and vertebrates, including fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. This course is designed for the college-bound student.
Students should expect a demanding daily workload as well as 3D building projects, and laboratory write-ups.
Laboratory and outdoor experiences complement classroom activities. A high level of understanding in problem solving and the scientific methods is necessary for success in this course.
Physics 1
Credits: 1
Physics 1 is a college preparatory, introductory course that is taken by most students intending to study applied science at college.
Physics is a study of how and why things work. In this course, we will study kinematics, waves, electromagnetic radiation and relativity. We use theories, observations and mathematics to make these descriptions. We can use what we find to make predictions about other phenomena and then create 3D world demonstrations and exhibits to show these concepts in a meaningful way.
Other Topics Covered
- Mathematics of Physics
- Motion in One and Two Dimensions
- Newton’s Law and Gravitation
- Momentum
- Work Energy
- Wave Properties and Optics
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Atomic Physics
Evaluation
- Short quizzes based on assigned homework
- Cumulative exams (approximately 4)
- Dry Lab Reports – approximately 25 experiments are done in the year
Prerequisites
Strong background in science/mathematics and proficient with the graphing operations of a graphing calculator. Students should have taken (or be taking concurrently), a Pre-Calculus (or equivalent) course in mathematics.
Chemistry 1
Credits: 1
Chemistry 1 is a college preparatory laboratory science course that explores the nature of matter and its interaction with energy. This course concentrates on chemical calculations and laboratory experiences and is designed to fulfill the laboratory class requirement for entrance into most four-year colleges and universities.
Course Objective: The purpose of this class is to understand scientific concepts. The class is designed to gain a broad understanding of Chemistry.
1. To increase chemistry study skills.
2. To gain better understanding of metals and nonmetals.
3. To increase awareness and understanding of types of bonding.
Chemistry 1 is a rigorous course that begins with an overview of chemistry concepts and critical scientific skills. Students then extend their knowledge by applying the scientific method — observation, data collection, analysis, hypothesis, and conclusion. They are encouraged to look at chemistry from both personal and worldly perspectives and to analyze the social implications of the topics covered. Topics include the nature of matter; the structure of atoms and molecules; bond formations; the qualitative and quantitative aspects of chemical reactivity; physical and chemical properties of solids, liquids, and gases; states of matter; phase transitions; equilibrium; kinetics; thermodynamics; electrochemistry; nuclear chemistry; and an introduction to organic chemistry.
The content is based on the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) standards.
This course uses Model ChemLab as the primary way to conduct labs. Lab Fee: $32.00
Some Features of Model ChemLab:
- Allows users to perform interactive chemistry lab simulations
- Emphasizes the critical principles and techniques of experimental chemistry
- Ideal for a lab run-throughs, demonstrations, pre-lab work, and labs that otherwise could not be performed due to time constraints or hazards
- Includes labs on Acid-Base Titration, Specific Heat, Fractional Crystallization, Gravimetric Analysis, Volumetric Analysis, Atomic Weight, Cation and Anion Reaction, Redox Titration, Reaction Kinetics and others
- The lab Wizard tool allows educators to create their own lab simulations
Science Courses
Immersive Science Builds are a Big Part of the Course Requirements
Students participate in science builds for all high school courses.
This includes constructing a virtual coral reef, an environmental research station, a Mars space colony, a wolves habitat den and a biodome.
Interactive Learning
WiloStar’s online virtual school program is designed to give students a healthy online learning environment where they can interact with their peers and teachers during the school day. Students have live class meetings and online study hall requirements.
Learning Accommodations
WiloStar believes in treating each student as an individual and respecting their unique needs. We are one of the very few virtual schools that make learning accommodations for students! Incoming students are given appropriate placement screening and an ILP is created.
Problem Solvers
WiloStar staff and faculty believes there is no problem that can’t be solved. The key here is communication. If a parent sees something is not working for the student there at home, they let us know and we mobilize to find ways to adapt the learning and find solutions that will help the student.
Stellar Support
The WiloStar Student Support team is at the ready to help with extra tutoring, counseling and tech support. For struggling students, we offer several strategies to help get back on track. For techincal issues, we have a skilled and dedicated team ready to help solve your issues.
